Blog Identity Crises + Sponsorship

I'm having a blog identity crises of sorts which explains the lack of posting on my part. Well, that and a few other reasons.

I was laid off from my job as a full-time web designer a couple of weeks ago. I've been working as an independent contractor for a popular blog design company for about a month or so now so, financially, I'm doing just fine but I've been super busy focusing my time on those projects now to make sure I can bring in a fairly regular income for myself.

I've had a few people contact me for blog designs. If that's you, I know, I haven't written you back. I've received your email, I read it, I meant to write back and then I got busy and forgot. You'll hear from me soon, I promise. If you've found someone else by then - no worries! If you haven't, I look forward to talking with you soon :)

I hate my domain/blog name. I feel like it's too fluffy and I'm not a fluffy person to be quite honest. I feel like I can't be honest and raw in some of my posts because sometimes things I want to say aren't so "darling." I don't want to quit blogging, I just want a blog that reflects me and what I do perfectly so I've been trying to brainstorm some things and figure out where I want to be.

Last but not least... and I'm saving it for last because it's something that has bugging me but it's something that may offend others. I don't want it to, so hopefully you will understand where I'm coming from. I hate sponsors. There, I said it. Okay, I don't necessarily hate it, but... let me explain. First of all, I LOVE visiting tons of blogs and from there, visiting their sponsors. I've found my absolute favorite blogs that way and I still do it - all the time. So, if you are sponsoring a blog to gain new readers or whatever reason, don't stop! It's working. I promise there are tons of people like me who "blog hop" this way. There's absolutely nothing wrong with sponsoring a blog or offering sponsorship. Your blog is property, it's valuable and it should be seen as such, especially if you have a large and loyal following. My problem is, I was a blogger back in the old days (ha!). I was a blogger back in the day where you promoted your friends and blogs you loved just for the sake of loving them. You wanted to promote your friends! Now, it sort of feels fake to me. You sponsor a blog, they give you a shout out about how awesome and amazing your blog is, but they don't even follow you back on GFC (or Bloglovin, or Hellocotton, or whatever). If they love your blog so much, why don't they follow it? Or comment? Or interact with you on social media?

I'll continue to sponsor blogs that I like because like I said, I don't think there's anything wrong with it in general and I want to support people who spend a good amount of their time creating content for me to read and enjoy. But, personally, it's not for me. I don't feel right asking other bloggers to give me money to display their blogs on my sidebar, especially if I'm not going to update EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And I can't promise to do that because I have to work for a living and I have a child to raise who deserves my attention. I don't think it would be fair to other bloggers to accept their money and then go a week without blogging. I don't have the luxury of sitting at home all day doing whatever I want. If I did, of course I'd post everyday! I love blogging! I WISH I had more time for it and I envy those who do.

If I like your blog I'll grab your button (or ask you if you have one in a size I need) and I'll put it on my sidebar. I'll continue to offer some sort of paid sponsorship for BUSINESSES and I'll continue to offer (free) Sponsor Swaps but I will not be accepting money from bloggers in general. I just don't think it's right for me or my blog and I have to stay true to who I am. I'll be updating my Sponsor page to reflect these changes within the next day or two so if you try to purchase ad space, it will probably be kept "pending approval" until I get this all figured out.

If you do accept sponsors, please don't think I am criticizing you in any way. I understand the value of a blog, trust me; especially if your blog is your source of income. However, it's not mine and it's not intended to be. Blogging is purely a hobby for me so I don't feel like making money off it from other bloggers is right for me at this time.